News

EDMONTON, AB – On Tuesday April 9^th, 2019 the Concordia Thunder Athletics program celebrated the achievements and successes from the 2018-19 season at the Blue & Gold Athletics Banquet held on campus at Concordia University of Edmonton.

New this year, each team is to nominate an athlete for the Leadership Award and the All Heart Award. The Thunder Athletics Leadership Award recognizes a student-athlete on each respective team that demonstrates a commitment to the team and its players at all times. They are considered excellent leaders both on and off the field of play and in the classroom. They demonstrate strong ethics, sportsmanship, and work hard to make themselves better, as well as those around them.

The Thunder Athletics All Heart Award recognizes a student-athlete on each respective team that has earned the admiration of their teammates through unselfish loyalty to their athletics team/program, promotes team unity, and serves as a positive role model on campus and in the community. They exemplify a strong work ethic, they never complain, and they put the success of the team ahead of their own personal successes and achievements. They are full of team/school spirit and are considered the heart and soul of their team.

Men’s Soccer

To start the evening off, men’s soccer head coach Ian Skitch took the stage to share the successes of his team that earned an ACAC silver medal this past fall. Samuel Kohan was presented with Leadership Award while Michael Mis was honored with the All Heart Award. 3^rd year defender Kenny Johnson was recognized with the Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete award and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Women’s Soccer

On the women’s side, head coach Franco Imbrogno was called to the stage to share the successes of his women’s soccer team this past season. In addition to being presented with the team Leadership Award, 4^th year midfielder Gabby Bayne was also the teams Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete. 4^th year keeper Kathleen Lang was named with the team All Heart Award and 3^rd year defender Paige Martin was named as the Most Valuable Player.

Women’s Basketball

Robbie Valpreda and the Thunder women’s basketball team began their awards program by honouring 1^st year guard Els Hryniw with the team Leadership award and Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete award. Amy Van Brabant had an excellent season as a first year forward and was recognized with the All Heard Award. 5^th year guard Morgan Dool was presented as the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Men’s Basketball

After a dominant season leading the ACAC north conference and earning a ACAC silver medal, Reagan Wood and the men’s basketball team took to the stage for their awards presentation. In addition to being an Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete, 2^nd year shooting guard Keaton Souster was also recognized with the team Leadership Award. 4^th year centre, Ronald Bacon Jr. earned the team All Heart Award while 5^th year forward Ryan McLaren was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Cross Country and Indoor Track

Next up on the podium was Cross Country and Indoor Track head coach Matthew Norminton. The women’s team was acknowledged for their incredible season qualifying for nationals in cross country along with picking up an ACAC 3^rd place overall finish in indoor track. 4^th year runner Elise Nawrocki was presented with the team Leadership Award and  4^th year Bailey Troccoli-Hughes was recognized with the All Heart Award. Rebekka Hay was the team’s Outstanding Scholastic Athlete while Ana Zulic was the team’s Most Valuable Female Athlete.

On the men’s side, 4^th year runner Brad Agnew was presented with the team Leadership Award. 3^rd year runner Keith Spruyt received the team All Heart award while 1^st year runner Ian Novakowski was recognized as the Outstanding Scholastic Athlete. Leonard Chesoo in his first year running with the Thunder was named the team’s Most Valuable Male Athlete.

Badminton

After taking the throne as ACAC Team Champions from the NAIT Ooks, head coach Kevin MacAlpine had many highlights to talk about as the Thunder badminton had an incredible season. Kassidy Turcotte who is in her 4^th year with the Thunder, was presented with the Team Leadership award. 1^st year athlete, Kennedy Turcotte, was named All Heart while Takeisha Wang and Kaylee Morris shared the honours of Outstanding Scholastic Athletes. Desmond Wang was the team’s Most Valuable Athlete.

Golf

Coach MacAlpine remained on stage as the golf team was up next to join him. The golf team also had a great season as they picked up a combine two bronze and a silver between the men’s women’s and mixed divisionsat the ACAC Champiosnhips.  4^th year golfer Kassidy Turcotte earned the team Leadership Award while her sister Kennedy was presented with the All Heart Award. 1^st year golfer Riley Higdon was the teams Outstanding Scholastic Athlete and Nicolas Pittman was awarded the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Curling

Curling head coach Taina Smiley who had a great first season with the Thunder picking up a CCAA Men’s Championship was called up to the stage. 3^rd year curler Tyler Van Amsterdam was presented with the team Leadership Award and 2^nd year Joshua Buchholtz was named team All Heart. Gina Friedrich was the Outstanding Scholastic Athlete while 3^rd year lead for the men’s team, Tyler Van Amsterdam, was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Hockey

Head coach Dan Glegloff and the Thunder men’s hockey team were called up to the front for their awards presentation. The Thunder men’s hockey had a successful season qualifying for playoffs for the third time in row. The Thunder captain, Adam Moghrabi was given the team Leadership Award while Adam Wheeldon was named with the team All Heart Award. 3^rd year defensemen Jakob Lavoie was the team Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete and 5^th year forward Phil Dillon was the team MVP.

Women’s Volleyball

Brandon Thompson was up next to present the women’s volleyball team awards where 4^th year outside hitter Tianna Smith was presented with the team Leadership Award. 3^rd year outside, Jusleen Sangha, was named with the team All Heard Award and 4^th year outside hitter Megan Bieraugle was the team Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete. The Most Valuable Player for the Thunder was 4^th year outside Kayla Whiteman-Kyte.

Men’s Volleyball

Lucas Jacobson was called upon next to present the men’s volleyball awards. 5^th year libero, Damien Leroy, was acknowledged with the Team Leadership Award while 5^th year outside, Ryan Teliske, was named with the team All Heart Award. Rookie outside hitter Chase Maris was the teams Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete and 5^th year outside hitter Keenan Forstey was named team MVP.

Minor Official of the Year

In her fourth year as a Thunder Athletics Minor Official, Adrianna Blitterswyk was presented as this season’s ACAC Minor Official of the Year. Adrianna has a been a great mentor for new hires joining the team, she can work at any position as needed, and will always go the extra mile to ensure a game day runs successfully. Congratulations Adrianna!

ACAC Coaches of the Year

Reagan Wood (Men’s Basketball)

Kevin MacAlpine (Badminton)

Matthew Norminton (Indoor Track)

ACAC Awards

• ACAC All-Conference:
  • Armaan Bhinder
  • Mas Arya
  • Kenney Johnson
  • Rebecca Leavell
  • Paige Martin
  • Kennedy Ballam
  • Morgan Dool
  • Sofia Lucadello
  • Ryan McLaren
  • Ronald Bacon Jr.
  • Elise Nawrocki
  • Leonard Chesoo
  • Desmond Wang
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Nicolas Pittman
  • Phil Dillon
• ACAC Rookie of the Year:
  • Leonard Chesoo
• ACAC Players of the Year:
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Desmond Wang
  • Ryan McLaren
• Overall ACAC Athletes of the year
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Desmond Wang

CCAA Awards

• CCAA All-Canadians:
  • Desmond Wang
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Kennedy Turcotte
  • Leonard Chesoo
  • Ryan McLaren
• CCAA Academic All Canadians:
  • Desmond Wang
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Nicolas Pittman
  • Armaan Bhinder
  • Kenney Johnson
• CCAA Championship All-Star:
  • Evan Van Amsterdam
• CCAA Players of the Year:
  • Takeisha Wang
  • Desmond Wang

Tom Austin Sportsmanship Award

The goal of the $1000 Tom Austin Athletic Sportsmanship Award is to recognize and celebrate sportsmanship in the Concordia Thunder Athletics program and to honour the memory of Tom Austin.  To achieve this goal, this is awarded annually to one athlete from a Concordia Thunder Athletic team who demonstrates sportsmanship through his/her actions. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and commitment to the team through virtues such as fairness, civility, integrity, courage and persistence. This year’s Tom Austin Sportsmanship Award was awarded to Kyle Klein of the Men’s Volleyball Team!

5th Year Athletes

• Ryan McLaren – Men’s Basketball
• Morgan Dool – Women’s Basketball
• Lacey Weddle – Women’s Basketball
• Connor Beeston – Golf
• Dylan Brown – Golf
• Matthew Martin – Men’s Hockey
• Nick Tupper – Men’s Hockey
• Phil Dillon – Men’s Hockey
• Matthew Hanson – Men’s Soccer
• Mas Arya – Men’s Soccer
• Keenan Forstey – Men’s Volleyball
• Ryan Teliske – Men’s Volleyball
• Damien Leroy – Men’s Volleyball

Thunder Loyalty Awards

• Ryan McLaren – Men’s Basketball
• Sofia Lucadello – Women’s Basketball
• Elise Nawrocki – Indoor Track/XC
• Rebekka Hay – Indoor Track/XC
• Connor Beeston – Golf
• Dylan Brown – Golf
• Nick Tupper – Men’s Hockey
• Phil Dillon – Men’s Hockey
• Mas Arya – Men’s Soccer
• Adam Ziccarelli – Men’s Soccer
• Evan Gagliardi – Men’s Volleyball
• Kyle Klein – Men’s Volleyball
• Ryan Teliske – Men’s Volleyball
• Damien Leroy – Men’s Volleyball
• Megan Bieraugle – Women’s Volleyball

Female Rookie of the Year

The 2018-19 Thunder Female Rookie of the Year is Kennedy Turcotte!

Kennedy Turcotte: (Golf)

• CCAA All-Canadian
• ACAC Silver Medal (Individual)
• ACAC Mixed Team Silver
• ACAC Women’s Team Bronze

Male Rookie of the Year

The 2018-19 Male Rookie of the Year is Leonard Chesoo!

Leonard Chesoo: (Cross Country/Indoor Track)

• CCAA All-Canadian
• CCAA Silver Medalist (XC)
• ACAC Silver Medalist (XC)
• ACAC Gold Medalist (1000m)
• ACAC Silver Medalist (3000m & 1500m)
• ACAC Rookie of the Year
• ACAC All-Conference

Female Athlete of the Year Award:

The 2018-19 Thunder Female Athlete of the Year is Takeisha Wang!

Takeisha Wang: (Badminton)

• CCAA Player of the Year
• ACAC Player of the Year
• ACAC Mixed Doubles Gold medalist
• ACAC Team Gold Medalist
• CCAA Mixed Doubles Gold Medalist
• CCAA All-Canadian
• CCAA Academic All-Canadian
• CUE Outstanding Scholastic Student Athlete
• ACAC Athlete of the Week

Male Athlete of the Year Award:

The 2018-19 Thunder Male Athlete of the Year is Desmond Wang!

• CCAA Player of the Year
• ACAC Player of the Year
• ACAC Mixed Doubles Gold Medalist
• ACAC Team Gold Medalist
• CCAA Mixed Doubles Gold Medalist
• CCAA All-Canadian
• CCAA Academic All-Canadian
• ACAC Athlete of the Week X2

Congratulations to all of our honourees and to all of our Thunder athletes and coaches on another fantastic athletics season!